Barry Manilow Will Have an Operation for Lung Cancer.

Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with a cancerous growth in his lung and will be having surgery.

Cancer Caught Early

The octogenarian performer, whose parade of high-spirited hits from "Copacabana" cemented his status as one of pop music’s most beloved performers, will have an operation to take out a section of lung tissue in an effort to fight off the condition, which is detected early.

“As my fans are aware, I recently endured six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks.

“Despite the fact that I was over the bronchitis and returned to the spotlight in Las Vegas, my excellent physician requested an MRI just to be certain that everything was OK.

“The MRI identified a cancerous spot on my left side that must be removed. It’s incredible chance (and a fantastic physician) that it was caught so early.”

Rescheduled Shows

He has delayed a series of planned live performances, but stated he would be back on stage by Valentine’s Day for his enduring concert series in Las Vegas.

He added: “The physicians do not believe it has traveled and I’m undergoing further tests to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just home remedies and I Love Lucy reruns.

“I’m counting the days until I return to my familiar venue for our Vegas run for our February love-themed shows.”

Decades in the Spotlight

Manilow is currently in the 16th year of a concert series on the Las Vegas Strip. The singer has spent decades in the spotlight and came out as gay in 2017, after wedding his longtime partner and manager confidentially in 2014.

The pair were in a clandestine partnership for more than 35 years. Recently, Manilow discussed how vital his husband had been to him during his rise to peak fame in the 1970s.

“As my career exploded, it was just crazy. And, you know, going back to an lonesome hotel suite, you can get into a lot of difficulty if you, you know, you’re alone repeatedly,” he said.

“But I encountered my future husband right around when it was taking off. And I was spared from having to go back to those isolated suites. I had somebody to be vulnerable with or to celebrate with.

“I wish that young people don’t have to go back to those hotel rooms by themselves, because you get yourself in trouble. I never did. But it was quite isolating until I met Garry. And then it was fun.”